Kilkenny star athlete goes the distance to win county four miler
The annual county four mile race was hosted in Gowran last week
Hosted by Gowran for the third year, the route sets out from the village, travels along the Kyle Road and ends at Connolly’s Pub in Dunbell, the home for the prizegiving and well-earned refreshments.
The race was won by Gowran’s Martin Desgrandchamps, who went one better than last year to claim the top spot in a time of 22:22. Evan Aylward (St Senan’s) was second male home overall and first male in the novice county championships. He also led home the St Senan’s team to first place.
Karl Tobin (Gowran) was second male in the novice in a time 23.19 with clubmate Johan Muller following in 23.22 for third place. The St Senan’s team of Evan Aylward, Patrick Aylward, Keith Norris and Keith Coady won gold in the men’s team. The Gowran team of Karl Tobin, Johan Muller, Paul Deegan and Matt Ryan won silver while Kilkenny City Harriers (KCH) were third with Martin Grace, Trevor Charters and Ian Comerford making up the team.
Ann Brennan (Gowran) was the first woman home in a superb time of 27.55, with Kathryn Kennedy (Gowran) winning silver in a time of 28.49. Rhoda Griffin (KCH) was third, claiming the bronze in 29.35. The KCH team of Griffin, Agnes Delahunty and Mary Ryan won novice gold, while the Barrow Harriers team of Fiona Canning, Ellen Brennan and Denise Sheehy took the silver.
Barrow Harriers: Fiona Canning, Ellen Brennan, Denise Sheehy.
Brow Rangers: Laura Gleeson.
Castlecomer: Harry Phelan, Maeve Coyle Twomey.
Gowran: Martin Desgrandchamps, Karl Tobin, Joe Keohane, Johan Muller, Paul Flood, Paul Deegan, Ann Brennan, Matt Ryan, Kathryn Kennedy, Canice Bolger, Pat Hayden.
Kilkenny City Harriers: Mossy Roantree, Martin Grace, Rhoda Griffin, Trevor Charters, Agnes Delahunty, Billy Culleton, Ian Comerford, Andrew O’Carroll, Mary Ryan, Andrew Smith, Martina McGrath, Angela Lawlor, Bernard Gannon.
Nuenna: Michael Bergin.
St Senan’s: Evan Aylward, Patrick Aylward, Keith Norris, Keith Coady.
Thomastown: Orla O’Leary.
Scottish gold
Victor Lamph (KCH) was selected to travel to Aberdeen, Scotland to compete as part of the under-18 development team at the Scottish Championships.
Lamph, who has had an incredible outdoor track and field this year, donned the Irish singlet for the second time this summer. In July he was part of the Irish team competing in the SIAB in Belfast. On this occasion Lamph continued his flying form, winning gold in the boys’ under-18 400m once again.
The Irish team topped the medal table overall with a combined haul of 34 medals - nine gold, 16 silver and nine bronze - a testament to the high standards showcased by these amazing athletes.
Longford Marathon
Adele Walsh (St Senan’s) is no stranger to the podiums of the road race circuits and cross country events, and once again found herself landing the top spot of the podium at the Longford Marathon.
Walsh had an incredible run over the 26 miles around the county, crossing the finish line in a superb time of 2:56 to claim the prize of first woman home.
Tullamore Half Marathon
As it has done for many years the Tullamore Half Marathon incorporates the Kilkenny county half marathon and Leinster half marathon road races.
Individuals and teams from various athletic clubs in the county had runners representing them over the 21km course. Many of the athletes might have trained in the glorious sunshine for the past three months in preparation for the race, but a turn in the weather continued up to race day, which opened in wet and windy conditions.
While the elements improved before the start gun went off over 45 Kilkenny athletes braved the conditions, with James Kelly Castlecomer taking the position of first home for the county in the men’s race in a time of 1:14.05. Joe Keohane (Gowran) was second male home in the county in a time of 1:15.35, with Sean Connery (King’s River) hot on his heels in 1:15.56. Castlecomer took gold in the men’s team, with KCH second and Gowran third. The county was sixth overall in the Leinster senior county category and fifth overall in the Leinster O35+ category.
In the women’s race Sally Forristal (St Joseph’s) stormed home and was first woman in the county in 1:25.40. KCH duo Aoife Nolan and Emma Ayres secured second and third places, Nolan crossing the line in 1:27.42 and Ayres in 1:29.05.
The Harriers took all three team medals and were second in the Leinster senior club category, while Kilkenny were second in the Leinster county category.
Well done to all who competed on the day, and best of luck to those in preparation for Dublin City Marathon which will also incorporate the Kilkenny county marathon road race on October 24.